while i have my carbs out ...

[winguyjo]

while the carbs are out of the way, and the monsoons have let up for a bit, i have access to what looks like a coolant temperature sender and an oil pressure switch. is there any way to test these while the bike is not running ?

[AZgl1800]

pull the temp sensor and put it in a stew pot on the stove 3/4 full of water.

with the burner on High, watch the pot.......... it will be the longest time ever, a watched pot always is.

When the water starts to boil, the thermostat should start to open.
206-212°F IIRC is the calibration for it.

98-101 °C is the exact range.

[DaveO430]

while the carbs are out of the way, and the monsoons have let up for a bit, i have access to what looks like a coolant temperature sender and an oil pressure switch. is there any way to test these while the bike is not running ?

While I have never known either one on an 1100 to fail you can connect an ohm meter to the temp sensor put it in a pot of water and heat it, as the water heats the ohms should go down. If the oil pressure switch shows continuity to ground it's probably OK.

[winguyjo]

hi, AZ

are we talking about the same part ? you mentioned 'thermostat' but i am talking about the temperature sender mounted on top of the engine with a single wire going to it. my guess is that resistance changes as the unit heats/cools. i wanted to test it while carbs are out because i dont think it's remotely accessible while they are in. same goes for the oil pressure switch, but i don't know whether that one is an on/off type of thing or if it has varying resistance .

[winguyjo]

hi dave ... you answered while i was typing. good stuff, just what i needed to know, thanks !